Have a search of recent Bangkok Post news about a scam within the Duty Free area where passengers have been charged for theft and locked up after unable to pay a 'fine'.
It is recommemded that you do not pick up items for inspection, and if you do, make sure that that item is replaced where it was taken from.
Re: Airport Scam
by Michael Bukit on Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:42 pm [220.255.7.xx]
I have another story tell share. A friend emailed to me some times ago but not sure how true is it.
My Dept secretary informed on this. Her cousin was detained in Bangkok for stealing a box of cigarettes in a duty-free shop in Bangkok International Airport. He had paid for chocolates and a carton of cigarettes. The cashier put a packet of smokes into his bag and he thought it was a free pack. He was arrested for shop-lifting and the Thai Police extortion price was RM30,000 for his release. He spent two nights in jail and paid RM50 for an air-cond cell, 200-300 baht for each visitor, and RM11,000 for his final release.
The Police shared the money in front of his eyes. On top of that, he was charged in court and fined RM2,000 by the magistrate and handcuffed and escorted to his plane. His passport was stamped "Thief".While there, his relatives requested help from the Malaysian Embassy and was told that they are helpless, as M'sians are victimised similarly daily and letters and phone-calls to the Thai Authorities are ignored. He shared a cell with a Singaporean the 1st night who paid RM60,000 for his release. The 2nd night was an Indian national who paid USD70,000. Mind you this is not in a shack in downtown Bangkok but in a duty free shop in Bangkok's Int'l Airport.
BE WARNED.
